Starfish Space has just secured a new round of funding led by a major defense tech investor, aiming to launch three full-size satellite servicing and inspection spacecraft in 2026.

Based in Washington, the startup’s Otter spacecraft has two main missions: extending the life of expensive satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) and disposing of defunct satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). These capabilities are groundbreaking for satellite operators, who typically expect a limited lifespan for their satellites.

The goal, according to Starfish CEO Austin Link, is to make satellite servicing affordable enough so that the benefits outweigh the costs. The $29 million funding round was led by Shield Capital, a venture firm focused on technologies impacting U.S. national security. Other participants include Point72 Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, Aero X Ventures, and more.

Founded in 2019 by Link and Trevor Bennett, who previously worked at Blue Origin, Starfish has already raised $7 million in 2021 and $14 million two years later. Despite a few setbacks, including a less-than-perfect first demonstration mission last summer, Starfish has secured contracts with the U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA.

Looking ahead, Starfish aims to develop a wider range of capabilities for more ambitious missions in space. The company sees demand from both government and commercial customers, with plans to expand beyond satellite servicing, life extension, and disposal.

Link emphasized that the current focus is on the Otter spacecraft, but the long-term vision is to have a significant impact on space exploration with advanced autonomy and robotics technologies.